Students in Meghalaya studying in Class-IX and X will soon have access to digital teaching in three subjects, Mathematics, Science and Computer. The digital based learning is an initiative of EDURIAL, a group run by some educated youth and teachers to provide digital based learning to students of classes-IX and X for three subjects – Mathematics, Science and Computer Science.
EDURIAL is an online educational website, developed and dedicated to students of Meghalaya irrespective of their social background. The website aims to bridge gaps via simple lesson delivery and affordable study materials in the form of videos, notes, presentations, mock tests and solved questions.
Natalia Shullai and Hanif Syiemlieh are founders of EDURIAL, and the team members are Tahir Khan, Romario Lyngdoh, Samhaoo Passah, Debashish Das, BikashBoro and Abhijit Das.
The goal of EDURIAL is to enhance the quality of learning in order to decrease the dropout rate and thereby increase the pass percentage at an affordable price.
To enable and promote digital learning throughout the state, the teaching would be also imparted digitally in local languages Khasi, Jaiñtia, and Garo besides English.
EDURIAL is also being supported by Gambegre MLA Saleng A Sangma. Saleng said that digital learning would help students get better understanding of various topics.
“We have seen in villages that students do not access to quality teaching especially Mathematics and Science subjects,” Saleng said.
He also said that through the website, students would access to quality teachings especially those who cannot afford to go for tuition. Saleng said that he would like to see that similar teachings be made available to the youth who are preparing for job examinations and other competitive exams.
The teaching materials cover syllabus from textbooks under National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). For registered students, the teaching is available in the form of animated video as well as encrypted DVD.
Natalia said that the teaching has been simplified so that students can have better understanding of the topics.
“Students can access the teaching online through the website in their mobile phones while encrypted DVD will be made available to students who do not access to internet,” Syiemlieh said.
For accessing the teaching through the website, registered students have to pay Rs 3 per day and Rs 1 for encrypted DVD.
Pointing out large-scale dropout over the last 5 to 7 years as well as high priced tutorial fee that cannot be afforded by every student, Natalia said that EDURIAL has been started because of the problems that students from the state face every year after they passed their Class X board exams.
“In a span of 6 months, Class XI students have to cover syllabus meant for one year, and this stresses the students physically and mentally. Apart from this problem, students from the state also have a tough time in comprehending the above subjects as the same quality of education is not available throughout all schools in our state. In order to do away with these problems, EDURIAL wishes to provide quality education in the through minimal pricing,” Natalia said.